Reviewing the Literature

Evaluating the content of your literature

1. Does the literature covered relates clearly to your research question and objectives?

2. Does the review include the most relevant and significant theories by experts in the area?

3. Does the review include the most relevant and significant literature?

4. Have you included the most up-to-date relevant literature?

5. Have you applied Harvard referencing consistently?

What you should have in the review

• History: When was the first research or theories in your area published? (Identify the history or development of the subject - this you can gain from textbooks. Is this a new aspect of an old topic, or a very new one?)

• Development: How have ideas around your subject changed over time? (how does what is studied now compare to what was studied previously)

• Key researchers: Who are the authoritative figures in the area or areas? (identified by citation or
in texts)

• Main theories: What are the main theories that are relevant? (explain why they are relevant)

• Current research: What is being studied today in the area? (bring your work up to date)

Activity 1 - Sample case literature review
Kim was an international student who wanted to explore the concept of work-life balance as this was something that her organisation had asked her to develop and implement policy on. This review is a response to a recent employee survey where employees identified lack of work-life balance as one of their greatest concerns.
Kim's current organisation is based in Singapore but has branches across South East
Asia
1. What types of sources do you think Kim should look to for data?
2. What topics would Kim need to read up on in order to make progress with this project?
3. What difficulties might she face?

Activity 2:

1. Develop your main research question (for your formative case brief)

2. Produce a list of five possibly relevant sources of information
• Each team member access a journal article (use Library OneSearch or Google Scholar

• Read the abstract and the final conclusion of the article

• What were the main research approach approaches considered in the article?

• What are the main claims made by the author

3. Draw up the following table (from topic 3.4)

Research question
Definitions and operationalizable concepts
Supporting authors
Supporting claims/Events/Research
Main approaches considered